It’s considerably more affordable than other roadsters with folding hard-tops like BMW’s Z4 and Mercedes’ SLC, although it is around £2000 more expensive than the conventional soft-top MX-5. Fiat’s own version of the Mazda MX-5, the turbocharged 124 Spider, is currently available with a manual soft top only.

This makes the MX-5 RF a unique proposition. Mazda hopes it will attract a different cross-section of buyers, who might ordinarily be put off by the idea of a soft top, and like the idea of an MX-5 that looks a little more ‘grown up.’

How does the roof work?

It takes 13 seconds to go from closed to open (or vice versa), by pressing a switch on the centre console. It’s quite a spectacle to watch; the ‘flying buttress’ fairings lift into the air, then the rear glass and roof panels fold themselves into a space in front of the boot, before the buttresses return to their original position.

The result is a car that doesn’t feel as open and exposed to the elements as the fully convertible soft-top MX-5, but still allows plenty of open air into the cabin. Boot space is identical to the soft-top MX-5, and with the roof up it’s much quieter on the motorway.

The downside is a far greater level of wind noise when the roof is open; there’s an annoying, resonant wind buffeting at speeds above 55mph or so, which means you’ll need to raise your voice to continue a conversation with a passenger.

There’s no difference in boot space between the MX-5 soft-top and RF models, with a reasonable amount of space inside for two large bags (maybe three at a push), but a narrow aperture to manoeuvre them through.

Engines, trim levels, automatic gearbox option

Like the soft-top MX-5, two four-cylinder petrol engines are available: a 1.5- and a 2.0-litre, with 130hp and 160hp respectively.

Both come with an excellent, fun-to-use six-speed manual gearbox as standard. However, the MX-5 RF also introduces the option of an auto transmission, available with the 2.0-litre engine only. There are currently no plans to introduce an auto MX-5 soft top in the UK, so if you’re searching for a brand-new MX-5 automatic then the 2.0-litre RF model is your only choice.

The Mazda MX-5 RF is available with tree trim levels: SE-L Nav, Sport Nav and Launch Edition. All models come with sat-nav as standard.

Verdict

The Mazda MX-5 RF is a very likeable car, with an unusual style all of its own.

Even though it’s a little heavier than the soft-top model, it’s just as much fun to drive, if not even more so – its slightly stiffer suspension means it has a little less body roll than its fabric-topped sibling.

It’s a shame the wind noise is so great when the roof is open, because when the roof is closed it’s quieter and more comfortable than the soft-top. Taller drivers, be warned – although the roofline is slightly taller, headroom is still very tight.

If you’re likely to cover more motorway miles than average in your MX-5, or particularly like the look of the RF’s lines, there’s much here to enjoy. However, we suspect most buyers will be served equally well by the cheaper, lighter, less complicated Mazda MX-5 soft top.

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